Biking to Machu Picchu 4d/3n

DURATION

DISTANCE

ALTITUDE

LEVEL

START

FINISH

4 Days/3 Nights

78km Biking – 28 km Hiking

1400 msnm – 4300 msnm

easy

Cusco – Abra de Malaga

Machu Picchu – Cusco

This tour combines biking and hiking in a spectacular landscape of Cordillera Vilcanota. It is designed with the adventure seekers in mind. It gives you a bit of everything that is the best in the area – mountains, jungle, Inca ruins. It utilizes an ancient Inca route which Manco Inca – the last Inca king took to escape Spaniards on his way to the last refuge in Vilcabamba. This tour will undoubtedly provide you with unforgettable memories!

Day 1: Cusco – Santa María (Biking)
We pick you up from your hotel and leave Cusco at 6:30 in the morning, driving in the direction of the Sacred Valley and arriving at Ollantaytambo. We have a stop there for a breakfast and enjoy the town. Then we continue our ride for 3 hour to the pass Abra de Malaga (4300 metres) – the highest point on the road. From the Abra de Malaga we start our biking ride. It’s all downhill as we pass by and visit interesting small Inca constructions and high Andean villages. We have also opportunity to see snow capped peaks of Cordillera Vilcanota and while passing the rivers see wonderful waterfalls. For less experienced bikers there is an option to start the ride in San Luis which is 30 minutes car drive down the hill from Abra de Malaga. After having lunch we continue biking to Santa Maria. On the way we see plantations of tropical plants – banana, coffee, tea, coca. Total time of biking is 4-6 hours. Camping in Santa Maria village with option of basic hotel.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner.

Day 2: Santa María – Santa Teresa (Hiking)

After breakfast we will begin the day’s trekking. We will enter the outer jungle with its flora and fauna. We will have an opportunity to see parrots, monkeys and other local animals. We will be walking through the tropical forest and tropical plantations. At the highest point of the trail, we will join for an hour an old but very well preserved Inca Trail. Afterwards we continue walking beside the Rio Vilcanota, cross two bridges, finally crossing the river using cable car. Then we arrive at Cocalmayo hot springs. After relaxing there we take transport to Santa Teresa village. We camp at the outskirts of the village. Total hiking time for this day is 7-8 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3: Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes
When we get up on this day, we continue our trek through the valley and along the Vilcanota River for approximately 3 hours until we reach the hydroelectric plant where we will have our lunch. From here, we can appreciate the nearby Inca site and later we can visit the small archaeological site of Intihuatana before continuing to walk another 10 km more along the train tracks to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we can rest in a comfortable hostal and later have dinner in a restaurant. It is possible to take a local train from hydroelectric plant to Aguas Calientes.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in restaurant.

Day 4: MachuPichu
On this day, we will plan to leave very early to take the first bus to Machu Picchu which leaves at 5:30 so that we can be at the citadel early to see the sun rise. In this place, we will have a thorough explanation of the Inca construction, at a time where there will be the least number of people. We can also secure our entry to the mountain of Waynapichu from where we can appreciate Machu Picchu from a different vantage point. Later, we will again descend to the pueblo of Aguas Calientes to take our return train to Cusco, and then return you to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast in the hotel.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

The time of hiking will depend on the group. The guide can change the places for having lunch according to the physical condition of the group.

Each guide has his own way of leading his groups but always his decisions will be for the benefit of the tourists.

Note that the roads used for biking are partially paved and partially gravel ones.

If you would like an extra night in Aguas Calientes please let us know at the time of your reservation so that we can make appropriate arrangements with the return train tickets.

This is an adventure biking and trekking trip. To enjoy it in full – bring an open mind, a positive attitude and a good sense of humor.